Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc

Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc
Блок "Наша Україна–Народна Самооборона"
Leader Viktor Yuschenko (chief of the political council)[1]
Mykola Martynenko (parliamentary fraction leader)[2]
Founded 2001
Headquarters Kiev, Ukraine
Ideology Liberalism,[3][4] Conservatism,[5] Reformism[6]
International affiliation none
European affiliation European People's Party
(observer only; NSNU and Rukh as separate member parties)[7]
Official colours Orange
Verkhovna Rada
72 / 450
Website
http://nuns.com.ua/
Politics of Ukraine
Political parties
Elections

The Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc (Ukrainian: Блок Наша Україна–Народна Самооборона, Blok Nasha Ukrayina-Narodna Samooborona, NUNS) is an electoral alliance active in Ukraine, associated with President Viktor Yushchenko. Since 2005, the bloc has been dominated by a core consisting of the People's Union "Our Ukraine" party and five smaller partner parties. The group is considered to be highly controversial.

The Our Ukraine Bloc is most closely associated with the Orange Revolution and continues to use orange as its political colour. In July 2007, the old Our Ukraine bloc had been reorganized into the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc for the 2007 parliamentary election in September 2007.[8] The member parties had planned to merge into a single party in December 2007[9] but on November 16, 2007 People’s Self-Defense decided to end its participation in the process of forming a united party[10] since then that process is unclear[11]. The alliance currently holds 72 out of 450 parliamentary seats.

Contents

Current members

The current members of the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc include:

  • Our Ukraine[12]
  • Forward, Ukraine![13]
  • People's Movement of Ukraine[14]
  • Ukrainian People's Party[15]
  • Ukrainian Republican Party Assembly[16]
  • European Party of Ukraine
  • PORA[17]
  • Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists
  • Motherland Defenders Party

History

The original Our Ukraine Bloc was formed in Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine in 2001 in preparation for the 2002 parliamentary elections. At the time of its formation, the leader of the bloc was Viktor Yushchenko.

Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2002

At the 2002 legislative elections, won 23.6% of the popular vote and 112 out of 450 seats. It was the first time when Communists failed to take the first place in vote. The alliance included the following parties:

  • Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists
  • Liberal Party of Ukraine
  • Youth Party of Ukraine
  • People's Movement of Ukraine
  • Party of Christian-Popular Union
  • Reforms and Order Party
  • Republican Christian Party
  • Solidarity
  • Ukrainian People's Movement
  • Forward, Ukraine!

In September 2002 the bloc was negotiating with nine pro-presidential (Kuchma) factions to form a coalition, a draft of a coalition agreement prepared by Our Ukraine faction member Yuri Kostenko and Labor Ukraine leader Serhiy Tyhypko was received by all faction leaders on September 20, 2009 (except by the leaders of the Socialist Party of Ukraine, the Communist Party and the Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko).[18][19] However the coalition never materialised.

Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2006

A map showing the results of Our Ukraine in Ukraine's oblasts during the 2006 parliamentary election.

During the election campaign some Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc members suspected Our Ukraine to be responsible for leaflets aimed against Yulia Tymoshenko, like fake invitations to celebrate her birthday at McDonald's.[20][21]

The "Our Ukraine" bloc was soundly defeated in the 2006 Ukrainian parliamentary election with only 13,95% of the recorded vote came in third place behind the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc - 22% 156 seats, and the Party of Regions -33% 175 seats.[22] It won 81 out of 450 seats.

The alliance included the following parties:

Following the elections there has been calls for Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko who was closely aligned and spokesperson for Our Ukraine during the March Parliamentary election to resign from Our Ukraine and to stand independent.

Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2007

Main article: Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2007
A map showing the results of Our Ukraine (percentage of total national vote) per region for the 2007 parliamentary election.

During the early parliamentary elections held on September 30, 2007, the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc was placed in third place, after the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Party of Regions[23]. Our Ukraine-People's Self Defence bloc received 14.16% of the vote, 236964 less votes in 2007 than the Our Ukraine bloc received in 2006, representing an overall swing of 0.20%.

The alliance included the following parties:

  • People's Union "Our Ukraine"[24]
  • Forward, Ukraine![25]
  • People's Movement of Ukraine[26]
  • Ukrainian People's Party[27]
  • Ukrainian Republican Party Assembly[28]
  • Christian Democratic Union[29]
  • European Party of Ukraine
  • PORA[30]
  • Motherland Defenders Party

The Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists refused to join the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc in August 2007[31] and did not run in the 2007 parliamentary elections.[32].

On October 15, 2007, despite the Party of Regions gaining the most seats of all participating political parties, Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc and the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc agreed to form a majority coalition in the new parliament of the 6th convocation.[33] On November 29, a coalition was signed between the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc (representing 45% of the national vote[34]). On December 18, 2007, Yulia Tymoshenko, with a margin of two votes, was elected Prime Minister.[35]

Resignations and creation of United Centre

In February 2008 several prominent members resigned from the party.[36] Viktor Baloha, Head of the President's Secretariat resigned on February 15 (to lift the issue of the correlation between the authorities as the President’s Chief of Staff and as a member of the OU-PSD presidium).[37] Roman Bezsmertny, high ranked party official, along with people’s deputies, Mykhaylo Polyanchych, Ihor Kryl, Viktor Topolov, Oksana Bilozir and Vasyl Petevka resigned on February 20, in a joint statement the declared that: "some of the leaders of the party play their own game, coming from personal interests and it has nothing to do with responsibility, pluralism and norms of democracy."[38] Some of them formed United Centre[39] who are expected to participate in the next parliamentary election independently[40]. One of the main goals of this new party is: "assisting President Viktor Yuschenko to realize its program of actions"[41].

2008 Ukrainian political crisis

On October 21, 2008 the presidium of People’s Union Our Ukraine party decided not to team up with any other party for the upcoming snap parliamentary poll and called the idea of teaming up with United Center Party "impossible".[42][43] According to UNIAN the People’s Union Our Ukraine and United Centre parties will carry out a unifying congress on January 17, 2009. The People’s Democratic party may join the move.[44]

On October 23 the Christian Democratic Union left the alliance and became part of the Leonid Chernovetskyi Bloc[45].

After a coalition was formed mid-December 2008 between Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc (OU-OSD), Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko (BYuT) and Lytvyn Bloc (LB) Yushchenko told journalists: "The fact is that the so-called coalition was formed on basis of political corruption, this coalition will be able to work only if the Communist Party will join it. Speaking about such a type of coalition, it is even more shameful." Victor Yushchenko also stated that Yulia Tymoshenko’s desire to keep the Prime Minister's job was the main motive for creating the coalition and that he wanted to expel the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc lawmakers who supported the creating of the OU-PSD, BYuT and LB coalition from the list of members of parliament. According to the President Our Ukraine decided earlier at a party confession that it was impossible to resume its coalition with BYuT.[46][47] Yuschenko described this as "a positive process, a process of purification. I have long waited that our people decide on their political choice, on their place in the party. They have made their choice, and I respect it".[48]

Viktor Yanukovych presidency

See also: Viktor Yanukovych#Presidency

Early March 2010 37 (of the 55) Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc faction members had voted for the continuation of the Second Tymoshenko Government coalition.[49] The faction did reserve the right to negotiate a possible majority coalition with other parliamentary factions apart from the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, according to faction leader Mykola Martynenko the faction had offered to appoint its representative to the post of prime minister to prevent the concentration of power in one pair of hands and the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc faction had flatly refused to surrender the post of prime minister.[50]

On March 11, 2010 the Our Ukraine- People's Self Defense faction officially announces that it would be in opposition to the newly formed coalition.[51] The leader of the faction Mykola Martynenko stated the faction "did not intend "to play under a scenario," which proposes changes to the law on the regulations amending a procedure for the creation of the coalition".[51]

On May 12, 2010 the parliamentary faction officially went into opposition.[52]

The Our Ukraine - People's Self-Defense bloc faction wants to expel its seven members who backed ratification of the 2010 Ukrainian–Russian Naval Base for Natural Gas treaty.[53]

Results per region

Наша Україна 2002.png
Наша Україна 2006.png
Наша Україна — Народна Самооборона 2007.png
2002 2006 2007

References

  1. ↑ UPDATE: Our Ukraine People's Union Elects Yuschenko Its Leader To Replace Kyrylenko, Ukrainian News Agency (November 29, 2008)
  2. ↑ "NUNS fraction elected a new leader". Korrespondent. January 16, 2009. http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/711664. Retrieved 2009-01-16. 
  3. ↑ Varfolomeyev, Oleg (March 30, 2005). "Ukrainian Parliament Continues Shift Towards Yushchenko". Turkish Weekly Comment. http://www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=616. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  4. ↑ Popeski, Ron (September 24, 2007). "Ukraine's "Orange Revolution" duo fight disillusion". Reuters (Boston.com). http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2007/09/24/ukraines_orange_revolution_duo_fight_disillusion/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  5. ↑ Korshak, Stefan (March 27, 2006). "Big wins for little parties in Ukraine poll". Turkish Weekly Comment. http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/features/article_1150244.php. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  6. ↑ "Ukraine". Index of Economic Freedom 2007. http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/country.cfm?id=Ukraine. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  7. ↑ "People's Union". European People's Party. http://www.epp.eu/memberdetail.php?partieID=83&landID=39. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  8. ↑ "10 parties signed declaration on creating united democratic forces bloc". The Jameston Foundation. July 5, 2007. http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-202196.html. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  9. ↑ "New bloc backs Ukraine president". The Jameston Foundation. August 3, 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6929336.stm. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  10. ↑ Lutsenko Refuses to Join New NU-NS Party / Ukrayinska Pravda
  11. ↑ News Site RAZOM
  12. ↑ "Informational site "RAZOM"". People's Union "Our Ukraine". http://www.razom.org.ua/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  13. ↑ "Party "Forward, Ukraine!"". Forward, Ukraine!. http://www.vpered-ukraino.org/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  14. ↑ "Homepage". People's Movement of Ukraine. http://www.nru.org.ua/en/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  15. ↑ "Ukrainian People's Party". Ukrainian People's Party. http://www.unp-ua.org/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  16. ↑ "Ukrainian Republican Party Assembly". Ukrainian Republican Party Assembly. http://www.urpsobor.org.ua/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  17. ↑ http://www.pora.org.ua/
  18. ↑ Tyhypko wants majority based on five factions, Ukrayinska Pravda (September 20, 2009)
  19. ↑ Yushchenko meets Tyhipko, claims majority, Ukrayinska Pravda (September 27, 2009)
  20. ↑ Spin Doctors at elections 2006: those who worked for Yanukovych, Akhmetov, Tymoshenko, Medvedchuk…, Ukrayinska Pravda (May 10, 2006)
  21. ↑ McDonald's Ukraine supposedly promised cheaper Bi Macs on Yulia Tymoshenko's 45th birthday, Pravda.ru (December 1, 2005)
  22. ↑ "The Elections of People’s Deputies of Ukraine (2006)". Central Election Commission of Ukraine. http://www.cvk.gov.ua/vnd2006/w6p001e.html. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  23. ↑ "The Elections of People’s Deputies of Ukraine (2007)". Central Election Commission of Ukraine. http://www.cvk.gov.ua/vnd2007/w6p001e.html. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  24. ↑ "Informational site "RAZOM"". People's Union "Our Ukraine". http://www.razom.org.ua/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  25. ↑ "Party "Forward, Ukraine!"". Forward, Ukraine!. http://www.vpered-ukraino.org/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  26. ↑ "Homepage". People's Movement of Ukraine. http://www.nru.org.ua/en/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  27. ↑ "Ukrainian People's Party". Ukrainian People's Party. http://www.unp-ua.org/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  28. ↑ "Ukrainian Republican Party Assembly". Ukrainian Republican Party Assembly. http://www.urpsobor.org.ua/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  29. ↑ "CDU". Christian Democratic Union. http://www.urpsobor.org.ua/. Retrieved 2007-10-02. 
  30. ↑ http://www.pora.org.ua/
  31. ↑ (Russian) КУН не пойдет в Раду вне очереди, Kommersant (August 7, 2007)
  32. ↑ (Ukrainian) Конгресс Українських Націоналістів, Database DATA
  33. ↑ "Ukrainian Parliament Continues Shift Towards Yushchenko" (in Russian). Korrespondent. October 15, 2007. http://www.korrespondent.net/main/212097. Retrieved 2007-10-15. 
  34. ↑ Source: Central Election Commission of Ukraine (English)
  35. ↑ >"Youtube" (in Ukrainian). Youtube: Yulia Tymoshenko elected Prime-Minister. December 18, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHXz_Al5dck. Retrieved 2007-12-18. 
  36. ↑ "OU lost one more member". ForUm. 2008-02-27. http://en.for-ua.com/news/2008/02/27/155733.html. 
  37. ↑ UNIAN - President`s Chief of Staff stops his membership of pro-presidential party
  38. ↑ UNIAN - Bessmertny, Kryl, Petyovka and others – six people left Our Ukraine
  39. ↑ "Baloha Wrote Application on Joining “United Centre”! NSNU to Join Him?". MIGNews. 2008-07-08. http://mignews.com.ua/en/articles/309222.html. Retrieved 2008-10-19. 
  40. ↑ "MP Kril Of OU-PSD Admits Snap Rada Elections Postponed To 14 December". Ukrainian News Agency. October 19, 2008. http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/156655.html. 
  41. ↑ "United Centre Reelects MP Kril Of OU-PSD As Leader". Ukrainian News Agency. July 12, 2008. http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/137209.html. 
  42. ↑ "Our Ukraine officially refused to team up with United Center". UNIAN. October 21, 2008. http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-279800.html. 
  43. ↑ "Our Ukraine Board defined the formatting of participation in elections". Our Ukraine official website. October 21, 2008. http://nuns.com.ua/news/5055/. 
  44. ↑ Our Ukraine and United Center parties to unite, UNIAN (24 December 2008)
  45. ↑ "Two Parties Will Create Chernovetskyi Bloc For Snap Rada Elections". Ukrainian News Agency. October 23, 2008. http://www.ukranews.com/eng/article/157933.html. 
  46. ↑ Yushchenko wants to expel lawmakers who supported coalition, UNIAN (17 December 2008)
  47. ↑ Yuschenko Advocates Expulsion Of Our Ukraine People's Union MPs That Support Coalition, Ukrainian News Agency (17 December 2008)
  48. ↑ Yuschenko hoping Our Ukraine's MPs supporting coalition with BYT, Lytvyn Bloc will be expelled from party, faction list, Interfax-Ukraine (17 December 2008)
  49. ↑ OU-PSD faction leader not planning to submit signatures on coalition's existence to speaker, Kyiv Post (March 2, 2010)
  50. ↑ Our Ukraine says it reserves right to negotiate coalition with other parliamentary factions, Kyiv Post (March 2, 2010)
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 Our Ukraine- People's Self Defense faction goes to opposition, Kyiv Post (March 11, 2010)
  52. ↑ Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense goes into opposition, Kyiv Post (May 14, 2010)
  53. ↑ Our Ukraine to exclude those members of faction who voted for the ratification of Black Sea Fleet treaty, Kyiv Post (May 15, 2010)

See also

External links

Political parties in Ukraine Ukraine
Parliamentary
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Party of Regions (175)
Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (156) (All-Ukrainian Union "Fatherland" • Reforms and Order Party • Ukrainian Social Democratic Party)
Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc (72) (Our Ukraine • People's Self-Defense Political Party • People's Movement of Ukraine • Ukrainian People's Party • Ukrainian Republican Party "Sobor" • European Party of Ukraine • PORA • Motherland Defenders Party • Christian Democratic Union)
Communist Party of Ukraine (27)

Lytvyn Bloc (20) (People's Party • Labour Party of Ukraine)
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